Do you have a cheat/break from counting day?
PolacaFL
Posts: 213 Member
I’m following the LOSE 1 lb per week setting which is fine from Monday –Friday but when it comes to Saturday and Sunday I overdue it and end up losing ½ pound a week instead of 1. I was wondering if I switched to LOSE 1-1/2 lb per week and continue with my two cheat days would I still lose 1 lb per week. Does anyone else have a cheat day?
0
Replies
-
Nope. Never did.0
-
Wow Juwaack! You lost 100lbs! That's awesome!
0 -
Even on the "cheat" days (or whatever you want to call them), you should still count, especially in the beginning. If you want to go over you calories, then go over but the habit of never eating a darn thing without tracking it will greatly increase your chances of success.0
-
I agree. The weeks I count calories on weekends are the only weeks I lose weight. I'm up 3 lbs this month due to not counting my calories the last several weekends, so I definitely recommend not getting into the habit of cheat days. I would be so much farther along than I am if I just counted my calories those two days a week.0
-
I count every day...even cheat days...I recorded a 5000 cal day saturday...was pretty fun to record...0
-
No, but I do take weeks off from time to time.
A weekly cheat day didn't work to well for me.0 -
Definitely still log, especially at first. I don't like the term "cheat days", but yes, there are some days when I do stray off the course...My calories tend to be on the lower end (1200) so I do take periodic "breaks" to break things up...last week I ate around 1500-1800 all week...this week I will eat around 1400...eventually I'll bring it back down to 1200...just have to mix it up a bit!0
-
Yep, I agree...have you a cheat day once a week or so but always log it. Wow Mercenary! I'd say I was a little over 4,000 myself Friday night haha!0
-
ive never had a cheat day. i have treats, but only if they fit in my calories for the day.0
-
I don't do well with cheat days....
Mostly because they turn into cheat weeks and so on....
I'd rather just go for a run to earn calories for a treat that I want.0 -
Every Saturday is cheat day for me. I always log it and try to stay within the caloric goal set, but that doesn't always happen. Regardless, having one day off per week doesn't wreck your progress. Its having several of those days all the time that does!0
-
I have cheat days (or weekends sometimes when I travel) but I always log whatever I eat....0
-
I don't think of it as cheat day, sometimes I don't even count everyday. The whole idea behind counting is that you are aware of what you are putting in your body. It's all about making the right decision. If one day you are a few over it's ok some days you may be a few under. Work on changing your mind set on eating healthy. Don't think of low cal as a punishment it is really a reward to your body. A treat is good for you but not a cheat. Go with a treat not a cheat!0
-
I've been finding it helpful to "save" calories for the weekend so I can indulge just a little more. I go by my weekly intake rather than daily intake and it's been working for me. It takes time to find the routine for the weekend that works for you, finding the balance with food portions, going out with friends and family, etc. I've learned to indulge but in moderation.0
-
Wow Juwaack! You lost 100lbs! That's awesome!
Thanks! 0 -
I count every day...even cheat days...I recorded a 5000 cal day saturday...was pretty fun to record...
^^THIS0 -
Don't let the weekends blow all of your efforts during the week. I think it's good to count everything, even on days when your diet isn't so stellar--you have to stay accountable.
I also have done better setting my calories closer to maintenance so that I don't have to starve myself on days I don't workout or worry about going over if I do eat a heavier meal than usual. If I'm going to "splurge," I try to eat less during the day so I'm still within my calorie range. Also, with my calories set higher (around 1750), I can get a more realistic sense of my calorie deficit over a week's time rather than stressing over each and every day (I can't see your diary, so I don't know what your calories are set to).
Good luck!0 -
I count everything, even the ugly! It helps to keep me in check. I figure if I didn't count it I would be even more likely to over indulge. Stay with what you are doing!0
-
I log some exercise calories throughout the week if i know i want a more relaxed day at the weekend. eg i burn off an extra 100 calories each day during the week and dont eat those back so i have 6days x 100 cals = 600 calorie net defecit for the week which i can eat on sunday if i have a day out or family over etc,... but i still log the cals i eat so if i go over, i work them additional calories off in the gym the following day.0
-
Yep, I cheat every Saturday.. Eat w.e I want that day I log it and I'm right back to eatting right the next day.. Helped me lose 19 lbs these far and it's only been a month .. There's nothing wrong with 'cheating' if you don't you'll crack haha Plus why not reward yourself 1days after all the workouts and days at work during the week?
It's just 4days a month.. It takes controll to get back on track but if I can do it and get fantastic results.. So can you 0 -
I'm weaning myself off of calorie-counting... Let's face it, we really don't want to do this forever. So I'm just trying to use what I've learned over 5 years of calorie counting to help myself make better "general" decisions. Sometimes I will have a day when I know I'm eating more calories than I should, but in that case I try to eat less the next day.0
-
nope and i log everything. even the stuff i don't wants peps on my FL to see.0
-
It hasn't worked for me in the past and I ended up spiraling out of control. It isn't the off limits food that gets me, it's tasting it and wanting MORE.
So I'm working on portions and being satisfied. I can't do the 'cheat day' thing. Never really understood the concept.
But I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I can't go back to that until I understand what food is for and what it isn't.0 -
No. Don't beleive in cheating. I've made it a lifestyle change. I'm having a good time everyday finding better ways to spend my calories.0
-
I’m following the LOSE 1 lb per week setting which is fine from Monday –Friday but when it comes to Saturday and Sunday I overdue it and end up losing ½ pound a week instead of 1. I was wondering if I switched to LOSE 1-1/2 lb per week and continue with my two cheat days would I still lose 1 lb per week. Does anyone else have a cheat day?
First, I'd up it to 1.5 instead of 1 and then concentrate on keeping your WEEKLY calories under control. It's called "calorie cycling" and many people do it.
Second, especially when you're starting out, drop the word "cheat" from your vocabulary. Count everything, be honest. You're only cheating yourself out of learning opportunities when you don't log.
Finally, remember that whatever you do, once you've lost the weight you want to, you need to have learned how to maintain that weight and not gain it all back. Develop habits that will last a long time - that CAN include eating more on the weekends, but it means you'll have to plan it all, which means no cheating - just planning.0 -
I never set out to have a cheat day, but always log them to see where i went wrong OR find out what I thought was really naughty I can actually get away with sometimes... x Stay strong and don't beat yourself up too much. minus 1/2 pound is better than plus 1/2 or an extra 5 days of naughty which could mean plus 2 & 1/2 lbs a week..... xx0
-
Myfitnessnmho- yes! Yes. Calorie cycling is what I had in mind but not the still logging on weekends. It makes sense. It has to add up to a weekly total and I can’t go over if I’m going to do it. I guess there is no real “cheating” in losing weight. I’ll do the planning!0
-
Thanks everyone for replying!!! I appreciate all the input!
Jessicas0215- I’m afraid having a cheat day might lead into a cheat week too
Babutkiewicz & Secretlobster- my athletic brother always tells me its about making choices in everymeal (grilled vs fried, water vs soda) but I haven’t gotten to that place where I can do that and still lose weight. I feel as though if I’m not counting, I’m not losing.
Kellip1015- I feel as though for the past 2 weeks my weekends have been jeopardizing my weekday effort
Toshie333- that’s what I was thinking: saving calories for the weekend.
Leanmachinedr- I feel the same way
Jimgatewood- the more I read people’s replies the more I’m realizing I’m going to have to make it an everyday effort.
Fitfaery- Half a pound is better than nothing! Thanks! 0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 430 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions